Could TV Show Furnishings Invade American Homes?

It occurred to me a while back that perhaps the reason the proliferation of shows on television about antiques have generally coincided with a down market is because of the focus on the price. For them to be appreciated and appreciate, antiques need to be something you want to own, not something you want to sell.

As they should be.

I’ve been wondering for some time whether the tide will turn for some time. Aside from television, many factors are working against it. Boomers are downsizing, meaning the supply is going up and demand going down. Electronic gadgets continue to take up more of our spare time (and so we’re spending more time virtually and less on material objects). More shopping is being done online, which favors new items over old.

But if television can be a style influencer, it could help usher in the return of a more classical, formal style. The big one here is PBS’s Downton Abbey. No, the average person can’t live in a big manor, but formal furnishings are readily available for prices comparable to new items of similar quality. A second show, Netflix’ House of Cards, features American period furnishings like those in Washington buildings. As the economy rebounds, national pride could be on the rise, and so an interest in historical furnishings could increase.

There is some indication this is already happening. Browsing through my email yesterday I opened an email from the online retailer Gilt. A phrase in the subject caught my attention: American Federal Style. These were for the most part not antiques, but new furniture and other items made in styles from the 18th and early 19th century. Included were a three section over-mantle mirror, a high boy, a print of George Washington, plus lots of crystal and silver. Oddly original items offered include period newspapers.

It may be disconcerting if the manufacturers beat the antiques industry to the punch. But wanting the look may be the entry drug into wanting the real thing.

In addition to my work at Stripe Specialty Media and American Vintage Market with Danielle Colby of American Pickers on History, I am also involved with Calendar of Antiques and Urban Art and Antiques.
My work has allowed me to speak on the phone with notable architects, filmmakers and politicians including Steven Holl, Julian Schnabel and North Carolina Congressman Walter Jones.
I have a Graduate Certificate in Public Relations from NYU, a Masters in Urban Studies from the University of Akron and am author of a chapter on Ayn Rand’s life in New York in the book Literary Trips: Following in the Footsteps of Fame.
I love the visual arts, music of all kinds, cities and urban living, bicycle riding, cats and vegetarian cooking.
I am happy to have lived in both New York and San Francisco and to now reside in Dallas.